Allied studies on the effect of Rosmarinus officinalis L. on experimental hepatotoxicity and mutagenesis.

The hepatoprotective and antimutagenic effects of the rosemary essential oil and the ethanolic extract were investigated using carbon tetrachloride and cyclophosphamide as hepatotoxic and mutagenic compounds, respectively. Our results revealed that i.g. administration of the rosemary ethanolic extract (0.15 g/100 g BW) to rats for 3 weeks produced the most pronounced hepatoprotective effect compared to silymarin (reference compound) due to the amelioration of most of the studied serum and liver parameters and confirmed by histopathological examination of the liver tissue. Pretreatment of mice for 7 days with the rosemary essential oil (1.1 mg/g BW) followed by i.p. injection with cyclophosphamide reduced significantly the induced mitodepression in the bone marrow cells of the animals. The potential hepatoprotective and antimutagenic activities of the rosemary ethanolic extract and essential oil, respectively, are attributed to the presence of a relatively high percentage of phenolic compounds with high antioxidant activity (according to our chemical studies).

Dissolution rate of chloramphenicol from hard gelatin capsules as a function of type of adjuvants and method of granulation.

The dissolution rate of chloramphenicol from its hard gelatin capsules containing different formulations either in the form of fine powdered blend or granules was investigated. The granules were prepared by the wet method using ethanol 60%, gelatin, carboyme thyl cellulose (CMC) sodium or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as binders or by slugging at different mechanical strengths. Results showed that the more hydrophilic the formula, the more the dissolution rate of chloramphenicol. Capsules filled with fine powdered blend gave a higher dissolution of the drug than those filled with granules prepared by the wet method or granules prepared from slugs of high mechanical strengths. Of the binding agents tested in the wet method, alcohol excelled gelatin, and the latter excelled CMC sodium and PVP. Capsules filled with granules prepared from slugs of 1 kg hardness gave a dissolution rate which was either higher than or nearly approaching that of capsules filled with the corresponding fine powdered blend.

In vitro release of chloramphenicol from different suppository bases.

The release of chloramphenicol from different suppository bases has been investigated. It is proved that the release was dependent on drug solubility in the base, solubility of the base in test medium, and the melting point of the base and its chemical composition.

In vitro release of noramidopyrine methansulfonate sodium from suppository as a function of particle size and concentration.

The effect of particle size and percentage concentration of noramidopyrine methansulfonate sodium on its release from Witepsol H 15 suppository base is studied. It is proved that the finer the drug particles the less its release and the more the drug concentration the more its release.